Plastic template
 

Good morning! I have been looking at a pattern that requires plastic templates. How do I do that? Do I have to have a piece of plastic cut somewhere or can I make my own by using something else? Thank you for your suggestions.

You can use plastic cutting mats, or go to a fabric store like JAF or Hancock's or your local quilt shop. depends on what kind it is. You can make your own or buy them locally or online.

I use Mylar. You can purchase it in sheets from Joanns or Quilt Shops. You can also get it on line.

Depending on the type of template that you need (especially if you need to be able to SEE THRU the template) you can use cardboard from a cereal box, or buy template plastic from you LQS or an online store. I really must check my dollar store for cheap plastic kitchen cutting mats too.

The cheap cutting mats from the dollar store are what I see lots of folks suggesting lately. Depending on how much the templates are being used in the pattern (cut 1 piece or 20 pieces) you can even just use paper.

I save the plastic tops from boxes of greeting cards which are clear and stiff plastic and use it for templates and in making wallets where I want a see-thru pocket for my drivers license. Works great and didn't cost anything!

I use the heavy covers of brochures, like the thick glossy ones from car dealerships. You can't see through them, but the thick, slick paper works really well for me as a template. And is free!

The problem with the thinner plastics, used for templates, is that one mistake in cutting with a sharp blade and you have likely damaged your template. I find that using 3 to 4 mm plastic gives you a better edge to cut against and can be shaped with heavy kitchen shears. The heavier plastics are frequently semi-opaque but can still be seen through enough to get your template spot on. I have searched the internet and find the well know auction site to be a good resource, but you have to buy fairly large sheets and it is somewhat costly. However, I make a lot of templates and find it cost effective, less problematic and more precise.

It depends on if you are going to trace around the template with a pencil or use rotary cutter against your template. If you are going to trace with a pencil then the clear cutting mats from the $ store work well but you can use a cereal box cardboard, the lid from a margarine container, if it's big enough or sometimes the clear hard plastic packaging from a product. Here is a picture of the $ store mat.
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If you plan on cutting against your template with your rotary cutter, then some hardware stores will cut a simple shape for you from thick acrylic.

I usually buy sheets of plastic specially made for making templates. You can find them at QS and box stores. Some of the sheets have a ruler grid, usually by 1/8" so you know you are making your template exactly square.